With Continued Success, Corey Clement Earning More Short-Yardage Work

Despite the fact that running back LeGarrette Blount was running over and through people for the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense during Sunday’s game, he was not the only running back who got work.

Rookie Corey Clement, in fact, saw a handful of carries, during some key moments of the game-sealing drive in the fourth quarter.

"I tried to make every third-down opportunity count," Clement said as a guest of the Ozzie and Krausey show on 97.3 ESPN on Monday Night. "Just being counted on is a big thing, I take pride in, the more I can stay out there, the better it feels."

Clement had three carries on the final 13-play, 54-yard drive, to help keep the drive alive. He was given a carry on third and one, and third and two during the drive, managing to convert on both.

"I'm going to put him in those situations," Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said. "He did an outstanding job when called upon. We continue to grow that area with him and keep him coming.

"Great balance, strength, no fear," added Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich today when asked what about Clement’s running style and ability that makes the coaches feel comfortable with using him in those situations.

"He’s just a powerful runner. A powerful runner. But you need good balance along with power, and vision, and he's really showed all that consistently."

The rookie out of Wisconsin has gone from long-shot to key contributor in the first four games of the season, picking up some key first downs during the Eagles last two victories.

"I can never be satisfied with any of the work I do," Clement said.  "Getting the trust of Coach Pederson means a lot."

The undrafted running back slipped out of the draft in part because he weighed in at 220 pounds at the Combine, posting a brutal 4.68 40-yard dash in the process.

"From day one when we got him after the draft, from that all the way through training camp, he's done everything we've asked him to do and probably even more," Pederson said back in August when Clement was competing for a roster spot.

Overall, Clement rushed 10 times for 30 yards in the Eagles' Week 4 win over the Chargers after running six times for 22 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 against the Giants.

"I went in to the game know I was going to have a bigger role than I had last week, due to Sproles injury," Clement admitted. "I just had to be ready for everything."